Records of the life-long, non-violent efforts of the founder of the Vishva Niketan International Peace Centre and the President of the Sarvodaya Movement Dr. A. T. Ariyaratne to develop a new social structure through Sarvodaya are displayed in the Peace Museum.
When going through the material available in the Peace Museum, it is well understood how Ariyaratne became a household name. Honorary degrees conferred on him by numerous universities and testimonials of appreciation from rural communities are found side by side in the museum.
Among the International Honours he received are:
- The Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership from the Philippines
- The King Baudouin Award bestowed by King Baudouin of Belgium
- The Niwano Peace Prize awarded by the Niwano Foundation in Japan
- The Mahatma Gandhi Peace Prize awarded by the Indian government
- The World Hunger Award
- Jamnalal Bajaj Award
Among the local honours are:
- ‘Deshabandu’ – conferred by the former President of Sri Lanka His Excellency J.R Jayawardane
- ‘Prasadini’ – conferred by a former Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Honourable Mrs Sirimavo Bandaranaike
- ‘Sri Lankhabhimanya’ – conferred by the former President of Sri Lanka His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksha
Many other awards from various organisations along with numerous mementos gifted by the Sarvodaya Shramadana Societies and other organizations are also found among these tributes in the showcases gifted by the Ramon Magsaysay Foundation.
When stepping into this museum one would not fail to observe the noble work of a single human being who worked untiringly for the poor and the neglected in society.